Borkum - surf spot statistics

Borkum, Germany, is a surf spot with predominantly wind-driven conditions, as the data shows very little ground swell throughout the year. The best months for surfing are typically late autumn and winter, specifically from October to December, when wind swell percentages peak around 38-44%, and mean swell size reaches 0.5-0.6m. However, even during these months, the likelihood of good wind conditions remains extremely low (only 2-3% of the time), meaning cross-onshore or cross-offshore winds are rare, and most days feature less favorable wind directions. From January to February, wind swell remains relatively consistent (43-47%), but the poor wind conditions (98% bad) and small swell size (0.6m) limit quality surfing opportunities. Spring and summer (March to August) see a significant drop in wind swell frequency (24-36%) and smaller waves (0.4-0.5m), making these months far less ideal. September marks a slight improvement as wind swell increases to 29%, though conditions remain marginal. Overall, Borkum is a spot for committed surfers who can handle onshore wind chop, with October to December offering the highest chance of rideable waves, albeit still inconsistent and small by global standards. The lack of ground swell and consistently unfavorable winds make it a challenging spot for high-performance surfing, better suited for beginners in small waves or windsurfers/kitesurfers who thrive in strong onshore conditions.

June in Borkum tends to offer relatively small and weak surf conditions, with an average swell height of just 0.4m and a short period of 4.4s, making it generally poor for quality wave riding. The most consistent swell direction is NNW, accounting for the majority of waves, particularly in the 0-0.5m range (27.07%), with a small chance of slightly larger waves (6.80% in 0.5-1m and 3.28% in 1-1.5m). Other directions, like NW and W, also contribute but with even smaller waves. Unfortunately, the wind is ideal for surfing only 2% of the time, meaning most days are either too calm or onshore/offshore winds disrupt the weak swell. Stronger winds (20-30kph+) are more likely from SW, WSW, W, and WNW, which often lead to choppy or blown-out conditions given the spot’s exposure. Overall, June is a low-performance month for surfers here, best suited for beginners on rare clean days or those willing to ride very small, mushy waves. Advanced surfers will find it underwhelming.